Malaysia

The country is predominantly Muslim, a religion that frowns upon gambling, and this has had an impact on the country’s gambling legislation.  Gambling laws are very strict in Malaysia, which makes it tricky for potential players to access these activities safely and legally. However, there are some options that can be considered for Malay players and we will be exploring them on this page. 

In the world of online gambling, Malaysian players will feel quite welcome as many reputable brands have no qualms about letting these users play. Below we will briefly explain the legal framework in place in Malaysia, the risks associated with online gambling, legal ways to gamble in the country and reputable online brands we recommend to players.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Malaysia?

The legal system in Malaysia is a complex one. Sharia courts, which uphold laws laid out by the Muslim faith, operate in parallel to secular courts. Discussion has arisen on whether Malaysian legislation should remain dual or move to a more singular structure. While this does not have any bearing on gambling legislation specifically, it goes to show that the legal system in the country can be tricky to understand. 

Online gambling is technically outlawed in Malaysia. This is based on the 1953 Betting Act, which made pretty much all forms of betting illegal. The language the act uses also outlaws internet-based gambling, even though the Web was born some 40 years after the act. It covers the transmission of bets or wager by any means, which also includes the internet.

A few exemptions were written in later on. Pari-mutuel horse race betting, for example, is allowed, as are lotteries. There is also one casino resort in the country that is fully legal too. 

The law is pretty clear, it would seem. But the truth is that thousands of people based in Malaysia gamble online every day. Malaysian authorities are much more interested in going after the operators of illegal gambling activities than they are in punishing the players. 

Online gambling in Malaysia seems to be ignored for the most part, not to say tolerated, assuming the player accesses casinos that are located outside the country. Playing at sites with no physical presence in the region seems to be a safe choice for players as the authorities are unlikely to pursue action internationally. 

It would be remiss to ignore the admittedly small risks however. Sharia law is a powerful force in Malaysia and there have been calls to ban online gambling outright. So there is a small element of risk to keep in mind when playing from Malaysia.

How we review the Top Malaysia Casinos

The greenbet team is dedicated to finding the best and most trustworthy casinos out there. We use the following criteria to ensure that our readers get the best possible recommendations from us.

Safety & Security 

Players want to visit sites that are safe and that take their security seriously. We look closely at casinos’ security credentials and check if they have been certified by industry regulators.

Welcome Bonuses

Players want welcome bonuses that are fair, exciting, and with transparent terms and conditions that are easy to understand. Casinos with welcome bonuses that fit this description are the only ones that make it onto our pages.

Deposit methods

Every player is different and the top casinos make sure to cater to as many player preferences as possible. We feature casinos that offer multiple deposit methods that are reputable and safe.

Fast Payout 

No one likes waiting ages for their money. It is important to our readers that casinos have reasonable withdrawal times for all their accepted deposit methods.

Mobile capabilities

The future is mobile. We could also safely say that the present is mobile, with the mobile gambling sector having expanded exponentially over the past few years. Readers can find the top mobile casinos on our pages. 

Customer Support

Customer support is often an undervalued part of the casino experience but if you do find yourself needing help, this is a very important thing to keep in mind. We test the customer support of any brand we feature and will list all the ways a player can get in touch for help.

Established Game Providers

Good quality games are the cornerstone of a positive and entertaining gambling experience. A good casino will only host games by established and respected game providers with a range of title options that have been tested for fairness.

Licence and regulations

We will never recommend an unlicensed casino. Without a reputable license, there is no guarantee that a casino will maintain the safety and security of its players to an acceptable standard. 

Playing With Real Money – Can You Deposit Ringgit at Malaysia Online Casinos

Malaysian ringgit, represented by the code MYR, is accepted at a growing number of casinos. That number was never small to start with, such is the interest of Malaysian players in online gambling products, but the range is steadily increasing. 

Paypal is a popular choice around the world and in Malaysia too. This versatile payment method can be used at a multitude of online sites, including casinos, and its flexibility and ease of use make it a good choice for players in Malaysia. 

There are a host of ewallet options available to Malaysian players, including Boost, BigPay, Razer Pay and more. However, because these are primarily for users based in Asia and the gambling industry is predominantly Europe-based, few if any of these e-wallet services are accepted at online casinos. Of course, we cannot predict the future and it may well be that casinos start to accept these payment options further down the line. At the moment though, Paypal is the preferred choice in e-wallets.

Users in Malaysia are also free to use credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard, which are the most commonly accepted payment method at online casinos. We have not yet come across a casino that does not accept credit cards and this fast, safe and popular method is open to players around the world and in most cases, players will already have one of these cards for everyday use.

Which Casino Games are Available in Malaysia

The big and wonderful world of online casino games is available to players in Malaysia. This includes thousands of slot titles and jackpot games, table games such as roulette, blackjack, baccarat and poker, and games like bingo and scratch cards. Some brands also offer arcade-type games, Keno and other hard-to-categorise titles that add interest and variety to the gambling experience. 

If a casino accepts Malaysian players, they will have access to the full library of games on offer. Some game developers are not licensed for play in certain countries but when that is the case, the casino will specify which games are off-limits to which regions. 

Popular Casinos Accepting Malaysia Players

Malaysian players can play at any online casino brand that does not specifically restrict players from the region. While MYR may not be accepted universally yet, this is not a problem for players as most casinos simply exchange deposits to an accepted currency as they are made. 

888 Casino is a leading casino brand with years of experience and the reputation to match. Malaysian players are welcome to sign up and enjoy all manner of exciting gambling activities, ranging from jackpot and slot games to live casino options to a dedicated poker branch. 888 is licensed in the UK, Malta and Gibraltar, further strengthening its image with a focus on player safety. 

Malaysian players are also welcome at Videoslots. This slots-focussed brand has over 3,000 games in total, with the majority being slots, as you can imagine. However, players can also find live games, table games, scratch cards, bingo and keno, making for a very varied experience indeed. 

Videoslots casino also offers a lively promotional schedule as well as ongoing tournaments to suit every preference and budget. It is licensed in Malta, the UK and Sweden, making it one of our top choices for any player looking for a quality casino. 

Playing Online Casino Games With a Real Live Dealer

Many online casinos nowadays offer live dealer games, sometimes referring to them as live casino games or simply live games. Players located in Malaysia are welcome to enjoy these titles at any casino that accepts users from the region. 

Roulette, blackjack, baccarat and poker are the games most commonly played in a live dealer format, however different ones such as Dream Catcher and Monopoly Live are catching on too. 

Live games rely on a live video stream to display the dealer and their actions to players who are logged in. This format brings some of the atmosphere of the land-based casino experience to players around the world and many prefer this to standard table games, which can seem a bit impersonal at times. 

Casino Bonuses and Free Spins 

Casino bonuses can truly enhance a player’s gambling experience at an online casino. Bonuses can include free spins, deposit matches, or a multitude of other casino perks that are desirable to players. 

There are deposit bonuses and no deposit bonuses. The former awards a bonus after a player has deposited money into their account while the latter rewards the player for a non-deposit action, which can be anything from opening a casino account, referring a friend or playing a specified game. 

Most casinos offer several bonuses, which means that players get to choose which one they like best. It’s important to keep in mind that the majority of online sites only allow players to have one bonus active at a time, so choose wisely!

What is a Bonus Wagering Requirement?

Bonuses generally come with wagering requirements, though some casinos offer wager-free bonuses too. A wagering requirement is the number of times a player needs to wager either their deposit amount, the bonus amount, or both before a withdrawal is allowed. Withdrawing before the wagering requirement is met will result in the bonus being confiscated. 

Free spins are also subject to wagering requirements, which are applied to any winnings the player might achieve through the bonus spins. 

Wagering requirements are usually displayed as multipliers ex. x35. This indicates that the bonus amount/free spins winnings must be wagered 35 times. So a player awarded £10 in bonus funds, for instance, would need to wager £350 in total before being able to withdraw their winnings. 

The Casino Market in Malaysia

Gambling is illegal in Malaysia, though as we explained above, the authorities turn a blind eye to online gamblers. There is one legal casino in the country and it is spectacular. The Genting Highlands Resort (or the Resorts World Genting as it is now known) is less a casino and more of a city in itself. 

It can be accessed by road or by its two cable car systems. It includes restaurants, theme parks, nightclubs and over 10,000 rooms spread across its whopping 7 different hotels. The Genting also boasts over 200,000 square feet of gambling space. The resort is a popular destination for its many amenities and for its hilltop location, which promises respite from the heat of the city of Kuala Lampur.

In terms of online gambling, there are no legal operators in the country simply because they are not allowed. Malaysian authorities take a hard line against illegal operators and there is no means by which they can be licensed. 

There are some observers that are predicting changes to the legislation that will make even playing at an online casino illegal, however this does not seem to be anywhere on the horizon just yet.

Online Casinos and Gambling Rules and Regulations in Malaysia

There is no governing body for gambling activities in Malaysia as most gambling is prohibited.